Toshiba screen black-out or no back light

Hi, for those who have a Toshiba Satellite, many might have experienced a sudden blank screen seconds after you boot it and the windows is displayed. I have a model 1100-S101, and this happened to mine. It may very well apply to other models. I noticed I could still see the faded WindowsXP image in the dark back ground. Also, the start button and menu.

Long story short, in diagnosis, it may appear that the backlight may be damaged. But what controls it is a part known as the inverter. I pulled the inverter out and as I was about to unplug the flat copper tape wire connection, the connector came loose from its solder points. Being that I do this work, I re-soldered the tiny connector back on.

I took a pic/image and will upload it later, so that some of you who may have this problem may better understand. If anyone has a question, you can email me. JP-Graphics@Juno.com

Weird...my experience is just the opposite. Last month the backlight on my Satellite 5205 finally went out after 4+ years of service. What I thought was simply a bad inverter turned out to be a cracked CCFL tube instead.

Prior to the CCFL failing, I was noticing a pinkish hue in the LCD's image. That's a sure-fire sign that the CCFL may be on its way out.

Hi, the back light was one of my concerns. But when confounded by which might
be the culprit, I researched them both. What made it easier to pin point the problem was, that when it booted, the display worked showing the XP loading black screen and then the desktop. Then it got dark.

I had also read of one person, who had the beginnings of this problem. Only his temp solution was, he'd tap the area of where the inverter is and it would stay on a while longer. Not really a solution, if you as me! But whatever works. I've uploaded (hopefully) a pic of the inverter with notes, if it may help someone.

The Satellite I have was passed on to me by a cousin bcuz it just didn't display at all for her. Still, what may have started all this may have been the fact that the hinges began to get tight as it was repeatedly closed through time.

To the point where the plastic outer cover, at hinge level cracked. Food for thought for this model and others is a Toshiba program called, Toshiba Satellite Hinge Remediation Program. Go to the address below for info. http://www.satelliteremediationprogram.com/notice.php3

By the way Meekus, your 5205 looks really neat. I've thought of buying myself a laptop some day. But frankly, it wouldn't be for all the reasons I hear on these forums, "Games"! I feel traveling students, business owners and developers would widely benefit more from a laptop.

I do games, like COD4 etc, but its on a work horse desktop. In my opinion, its easier to upgrade etc. Laptops, as you can see are very sensitive. I feel its a mistake people make thinking to leave a laptop running all day and night, as if it was a desktop.

Worst of all, is running Vista. Most of the people I've read from, have replaced the already installed Vista OS with XP. They liked the laptop, but hated Vista.
Can't blame them. I don't agree either, with the fact that BG, CEO of MS, developed Vista the way it is and for what it does... "Vois tout".

Hope my post has not offended anyone. As for me, I will continue to use XP pro. Have a good one.

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I'm not sure what the deal is with Toshiba laptops. I just purchased a Toshiba Satellite P205D-S7802 on January 11th from BestBuy. Needless to say, I've been back 3 times and am now on my third and hopefully final one. The first two would blackout randomly while in use. They wouldn't respond to any function and I could only do a hard shutdown. Most of the time, I was plugged into the wall and the screen would fade up black like a screen saver was coming up. I never saw anything faintly lingerging in the background besides my own disgruntled expression, so I'm not sure what the issue was. Upon taking the first one back to BestBuy, the "Geek Squad" did an analysis and claimed it was just a randomly bad video card in my particular laptop and I was allowed to exchange it for another brand new one. Well, within 24 hours of getting the second laptop home, I think it blacked out about 4 times. So not really wanting to continue moving info from system to system, I took it back to BestBuy and they claimed they just needed to adjust my power settings and that would fix the issue. Less than 24 hrs later, I was blacked out again. So upon, my 3rd visit I asked them to please fix whatever the issue was with this laptop or provide me with a non-defective model. Well, this time wasn't as simple, as they attempted to suggest my RUCKUS music player was likely the issue. Well interestingly enough, your faulty system was blacking out before I put my player on the laptop. Then out of excuses or reasons to avoid another exchange, the gave me another go at a 3rd one. So far, I have had this one for a week, without any blackout (fingers crossed), yet I am curious to know what is the real reason each system blacked out spontaneously.

Well EveReady, I am surprised with the repetitions. I am not surprised that any given laptop could have a defect, due to factory component workmanship or even shipment handling. I once heard about issues going as far as the factory worker, who was unsatisfied at his job. Willfully created problems at his station to get back at the company.

On the other hand, I am not very candid with bestbuy stores. Personally, on the 2nd attempt, I would have requested a refund and gone to either CircuitCity, Staples, OfficeDepot or even CompUSA to buy it. I feel if it happens again, you should consider this. One other thing, laptops can be touchy. I would consider an extended warranty. Things usually go wrong, right after the 1st yr warranty ends.

Toshiba in my opinion is a better choice than a dell or basically any other laptop, aside from the new Panasonic. I'm not saying they are without issues. But they are built well. As with all man made things, time and how we handle them take a toll on them.

You mentioned something which I was going to cover. Software installed at home. Also files from the older pc to the new can contain hidden viruses. So frankly there an entire array of issues that may have been the culprit. And, using Vista, in the experience of laptop buyers, has not been the greatest.

I personally went out 4 moths ago and did a search for a laptop for a missionary. It needed to be lite, for she would be traveling. We got the Toshiba Satellite Lite. Long story short, I checked forums and found out that 90% of the buyers loved the laptop but hated the Vista. Their solution was, formatted the HD and installed WinXP pro w/sp2.

Also, if you have 1Gig (2x515) mem, remove one 512 chip, buy a 1 Gig chip from a good reputable company and you will notice a performance difference. They sometimes come with a "Hynix" or infineon brand, which works but does not perform. I had to do the change. The difference was great.

Hi everyone! First day using my brand new P205D-S7802 and got the screen black-out. I´ve read about the Processor Power Management thing, but still can´t get any image from the screen, it´s still completely black. How do I get it back to be able to make the changes? Thanks

Listen, if that laptop is days new, take it back, refund it and go elsewhere. Or, you can let them deal with it. If its under warranty, let them deal with it. The reason I say this is, these are technical hardware issues that only a service tech is going to fix. being that you state this is the first day with your laptop, it should be spent enjoying it! Not servicing it. best regards.